Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday doubled down on his push to eliminate the department’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and renewed his pledge that the military would support President Donald Trump’s deportation push.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday chided past celebrations of the U.S. military's diversity in a broad address to Pentagon staff in which he also promised a tough approach to NATO and accountability over the war in Afghanistan.

Hegseth also called "Our diversity is our strength" the "single dumbest phrase in military history," and intends to end the military's DEI programs.

The defense secretary, speaking to the Pentagon work force, defended his “unconventional approaches” to an audience that included women and people of color.

"I think the single dumbest phrase in military history is, 'Our diversity is our strength. I think our strength is our unity," he said. Hegseth continued: "Our strength is our shared purpose, regardless of our background,